Author: Virginia Davidson

An annual fundraising plan is one of the most effective tools a fundraiser can use to alleviate stress and overwhelm. But if the idea of creating such a plan feels daunting, you might end up avoiding getting started. Fundraising expert Sandy Rees has suggestions to help you overcome five common roadblocks and create a simple […]

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It’s challenging for fundraisers to find fundraising advice targeted at small (and very small) organizations. This is what makes The Little Book of Gold by Erik Hanberg such a valuable resource. It’s a slim but information-packed book that offers clear, realistic steps small organizations can use to fundraise effectively. It was originally published in 2011, […]

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If you’re wondering whether your organization is required to send annual statements to its donors, the answer is no. There is no requirement to send annual statements, also known as year-end statements, every year in January. By sending acknowledgments throughout the year, your nonprofit organization has already fulfilled its IRS obligation to provide timely documentation […]

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If your organization participates in GivingTuesday, you likely spend a solid amount of time preparing your email communications encouraging people to donate on that day. But how much time do you spend crafting the confirmation emails sent to GivingTuesday donors? Especially for first-time donors, your confirmation email plays a key role in their early impressions […]

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A cycle of panic and neglect usually refers to public health crises or natural disasters. But those same patterns can pop up in other aspects of our lives. And when it comes to fundraising data, the cycle of panic and neglect is easy to fall into—especially when you’re constantly shifting from one priority to the […]

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According to the National Philanthropic Trust, planned giving through bequests amounted to $45.84 billion in 2024. It’s important for fundraisers to have a basic understanding of what a bequest is, since it’s the simplest way for donors to make a planned gift to your organization. The simplicity of bequests also makes them the most common […]

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Your organization’s year-end appeal is an important opportunity to raise funds for your mission. To help you do that, we’ve gathered four ideas to help you implement an effective year-end fundraising appeal: Idea #1: Incorporate local businesses into your appeal By expanding your appeal beyond individual donors, you can build a broader network of support. […]

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If you need to write an appeal letter for your nonprofit organization, you probably wouldn’t consider Stephen King to be a resource. But his book titled On Writing includes some gems that are applicable to fundraisers, too. Here are 5 tips from Stephen King, the King of Horror, that you can use to draft and […]

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